NOMAD DREAMING

I don’t often see cloven hoof prints amongst the bird and little mammal tracks. Like snow, the sandy desert surface keeps no secrets. #livingwithwildlife #tracks #spoor #livingwithwildlife

Why yes I do buy pure refined cane sugar. To make red dye free nectar for the hummingbirds. Thanks to the Park Ranger friend who alerted me to the potential hazards of red coloured commercial hummingbird nectar mixes I now have this unusual (for me) grocery item in my shopping bag #hummingbirds #livingwithwildlife #birdfeeders

The hummingbird feeder, reinstalled last week, is proving popular. Not that I ever have a camera at hand when the tiny, iridescent green, whirring blurs visit. Since these images were taken I have thrown out the red coloured nectar and made my own with refined sugar and boiling water. It seems that red dye could be harmful to hummingbirds . While the jury is still out on the topic, I will prefer to err on the side of caution. Even though the red liquid does look so pretty ag

Cottontail feigning nonchalance when actually I’m sure she’s up to something nefarious with the neighbor’s drip irrigation system. Why else sit on the pipe like that? #livingwithwildlife #livingwithwildlife #cottontailrabbit #rabbit

As the desert warms into spring, the skittering and rustle of lizards lizarding accompanies my days. Speaking through the blood and memory. Dust. Ash. Do this in remembrance. Communion. #livingwithwildlife #lizards #ancestors #mother

After much courting, cooing, clapping of wings and collecting of sticks and twigs, the attempt at raising a family came to nought for the white winged doves who had taken up domicile on the eastern porch of the little adobe casita. Hopefully they find a more secure seat for their next nest, than the cross beam of a porch. And maybe I now get less dove poop to add to the compost. Two courting doves produced a phenomenal amount of poop. Yay! Says the compost. Aesthetically, tho

Little birds of the night or rather dawn’s first light. This pair of white winged doves ( Zenaida asiatica) have adopted the porches of Little Adobe Casita as their home,  making for an ambient soundtrack out of Gabriel Garcia Marquez.  The clap and whirr of wings, and dove cooing attends. It is believed that, like swans, white winged dove pairs stay together season after season, hanging out as families. Interesting messengers for such a solitary nomad who has lived so long a

After snowpocalypse, the neighborhood bokkies are out foraging in the clear morning light, snuffling hopefully wherever the deep snow has been scraped #winter #livingwithwildlife #deer

On the Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadeloupe, (12/12) this madonna laid her newborn to rest at my front doorstep. #deer #livingwithwildlife

When I said 100 elk blocked my way to work some days , I wasn’t exaggerating . One day this past week, just outside the library, I met a whole herd jostling and steaming and snorting in the early morning, smelling earthy and warm animal funky - with the grandfather tossing his fine rack in the middle of it all. #livingwithwildlife #elk #Ruidoso #livingwithwildlife #borrowedterritory

Discovered the vandals who broke my library picnic bench. Tonight I walked out into a herd of more than 100 elk having their way with the outdoor library space furnishings. Move over Alaska. I can show you 100 elk to your one moose in main street. Terrible shot because the sun set an hour ago. #livingwithwildlife #elk

Little New Horns just hanging out at my front gate in the morning when I leave for work. #livingwithwildlife #deer #livingwithwildlife #Ruidoso

The early morning tree trimming service, operates sans engine noise in my neighborhood. Elk loooooove apples. Apparently. The wobbly kneed ecstasy on her face, as she saviors an apple,  is priceless #livingwithwildlife #elk #naturalgardening

An elk family, complete with spotted fawn, troop by in the street below while I am drinking early morning tea on my balcony. I am guessing they are in search of breakfast buffet from the apple trees currently in full fruit. Elk love apples it seems. #livingwithwildlife #elk

Gaining vantage point #TorC #lizard #roommates #livingwithwildlife #Chihauhauandesert

Ant control in place at the little desert casita. #lizard #roommates #livingwithwildlife #Chihauhauandesert #TorC

At the little desert casita recently, I came back from a dawn walk to find a little cottontail roommate nibbling on stray pieces. The desert has been very dry. She forages where she can. #cottontail #rabbit #desertroommates #roimies #Chihauhauandesert #livingwithwildlife

And good morning to you too! This herp roommate at the little desert casita stood her ground with determination when I appeared on the eastern porch first thing in the morning. Not sure of exact identification on this defiant roomie. #roommates #lizards #herps #livingwithwildlife

Met a foxy little apricot thief today, under the neighbour’s tree, feasting on windfall fruit. She was not terribly worried by my presence, though I missed capturing some of her posturing - yawns and scratching - fumbling for my camera. The little vixen had signs of being a feeding mother. The season is right for her to have a litter somewhere. I believe she is a Gray Fox - Urocyon cinereoargenteus - but stand open to correction. #fox #livingwithwildlife #wildlife #TorC #dese

If I just stick my head in this rabbitbrush and keep very still the person will go away. #rabbit #desertwildlife #livingwithwildlife #roommates